The near-future
is electric
What was your first car?
Special bits from the incredible conversations we have with our enthu fans on social media
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evo India, Project GTO Publishing, No 5, Siddharth Terrace, Nagar Road, Pune - 411006 IndiaThe Hyundai Kona will be India’s first electric
SUV and interwebs had a thing or two to say.The Ed took an Ambassador for a spin and re-lived his days learning to drive in it. Our followers
on social media too recounted their days with their first cars.Anish Kumar
My first (and my current) car is a
Hyundai i10 Magna 2013. I have driven an
Amby which was owned by my uncle. The
space inside was so much that it could
embarrass even modern SUVs.Nauzad Colombowalla
Mine was the Premier Padmini.
Alas, I was too little to drive when we had
the Amby. Only allowed to steer on my
dad’s lap. You know, thinking back, isn’t it
amazing what we made these cars do back
then - wheelspins, slides, corner carving
all from less than 40bhp and bald tyres.Ambarish Kulkarni
My first car was an Ambassador...
It was modified by my dad. It was a 1963
mark II with a petrol engine. My dad bought
it in 1992 (probably third hand) and it was
fitted with a brand new Peugeot engine
from Mahindra, a five-speed Isuzu Gearbox
from the Contessa, booster brakes from
the 118NE and the biggest AC Compressor
(Sanden). I learnt to drive in 1997. It was a
metallic black beast.Haresh Kukkreja
First drive! Luckily for me and my
generation in my family, Dad’s younger
brother was out to teach us all driving.
First took the wheel of a Standard 10
Companion when I was under 10, then a
Premier Padmini the family acquired new,
and then a Contessa diesel on Bangalore-
Mangalore Highway. Turned into Handbrake
Harry with the launch of the Maruti SS80!
Currently own the fastest M800 in the
country which I raced extensively and it
evolved from single Solex to triple Solex,
NOS to eventually turbo. We were hustled
or we had to pass on the wheel. I owe it all
to the one person who was driven to teach
us driving.Nakul Rana
We still have my grandpa’s ‘68.
Similiar yet nothing like the last one.Sarvesh Shah
Even I learnt to drive on an Amby.
Like you said it was more fun knowing
about them and being there when they
were getting fixed.Rajiv
Now, India is not ready for EVs!! No
charging standards, no infrastructure, no
battery recycling/ disposal plan, no roadmap.
Mrinal Vellodi
Our carbon conversion “from well to
wheel” wouldn’t suggest that electrification
is the obvious direction. It should definitely
help in clearing up the atmosphere in high
congestion urban ecosystems. Better than
nothing though.
Dimpy
We should’ve been quicker to adopt
such eco friendly technologies. Nevertheless,
immediate concerns are charging stations.
Once the network of charging stations is in
place, i guess we will be ready.
Ashutosh Nayak
We are ready if enough charging options
are provided.